Ax sheath



June 21 1927 E. o. Es'rwlNG AX SHEATH Filed Auz.12, 1925 Patented June 21, 1927.

i UNITED STATES 1,633,319 PATENT OFFICE.

ERNEST O. ESTWING, OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ESTWING MANUFACTUR- ING COMPANY, INC., 0F ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS.

AX SHEATH.

Application led August 12, 1925. Serial No. 49,745.

This invention rela-tes vto an improved sheath for an ax or hatchet.

The principal object is to provide a simple, practical and serviceable a-X sheath especially adapted for use when camping, touring, hiking and scouting, and for general sporting use wherever it is a convenience to be able, safely and securely, to carry a small aX on the person after the manner of a side arm, or to pack the sheathed ax without danger of injury to other packed articles. v

My invention is fully described in the following detailed description which refers to the accompanying drawing illustrating my invention, wherein; l

F ig. 1, is a perspective view of my improved aX sheath illustrating the manner of using the same for carrying a small ax or hatchet in a sling orva belt about the waist;

Fig. 2 isa view looking up at the bottom side of the case with the aX handle appearing in section;

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section through the case at the flap with the ax head appearing in section between the side walls of the case and also with the susp'ensory belt or strap appearing in section between the inside wall of the case and the flap.

In the three views, the same reference numerals are applied to corresponding parts.

The sheath comprises a case 4 arranged to receive the head 5 of an ax or hatchet with the handle 6 in depending relation to the head, hanging down the side after the manner of a side-arm, when the case is suspended on a sling or belt 7v on the person of the user. Itis contemplated that the sheath can be worn at'the waist and that no eXtra belt will be required, but that the trouser belt may be used with the sheath placed between two of the loops on the trousers and having the belt passing through the loop 8 provided on the case 4 in a manner which will appear more clearly hereinafter.

The case comprises an inner and outer sheathing wall 9 and 10, respectively, of leather or other similar and equally suitable material. These walls may be formed in one piece, but are herein illustrated as separate pieces riveted together along theirr front edges, a's indicated at 11, with a strip 12 of leather or the like interposed between the pieces. The pieces are also stitched together, as indicated at 13, across the front edge of the. case and part way across the bottom up to the rivet 14. At this point, the bottom is providedwith an opening 15 through which the ax handle is passed in placing the ax in the sheath. The pieces 9 and 10 are. riveted together,` as shown at 16, on the other side of the opening 15 opposite the rivet 14. This construction, it will be observed, leaves the entire top side of thecase open for the reception of the ax head 5. The sharp edge of the head is encased in the closed front end of the case 4 where the strip 12 serves both as a means of protecting the stitching 13 from abrasion by the sharp edge of the aX, and also prevents chilling of the aX'by contact with the rivets. Furthermore, this strip affords reinforcement generally and is a stiffening member giving body to the case. The blunt end of theax lies at the open rear end of the case as shown.

A. flap or tongue 17, is-riveted at 18 to the piecef) and extends upwardly across the inner fa'ce of the case 4 and through a slit 19 in the piece 9 to extend 'across the open top of the case over the aX head therein and down the outer face of the case for fastening. A snap fastener button 20 is provided on the flap 17 which cooperates with a stud 21 riveted in the piece 10. The flap, it will be noted, occurs in line with the opening 15 and thus embraces the ax head inline with the ax ha'ndle thereby affording the best possible means for holding the aX in the case both against displacement frotm the case, and against movement therein. This feature is important in that it gives the wearer freedom of movement'and the suspended aX does not constitute a noticeable encumbrance. It will also be observed that the flap provides a loop 8, above referred to, on the inner face of the case through which the belt or strap 7 can be passed, the loop occurring between the fastening 18 and the slit 19 in the piece 9. This arrangement provides for the safe carrying of the case on the trouser belt with or without the ax therein and, even though the flap should be unbuttoned, there is little danger of loss of the case so long a's the belt 7 is holding the samesince the fiap 17 must first pass through the slit 19 before the case is free. The fastener button 20 obstructs the passage of the flap through the slit and thus prevents accidental displacement and loss of the case. Although all of the previous references have been made with rso a view to the carrying of the ax in the sheath on the person of the user, it must be understood that the sheath is equally as Well adapted for sheathing an aX or hatchet for storage or packing and will, in such anV instance, prevent damage to other packed articles or damage to the sharpened edge of the ax itself. The sheath also serves as a protection against rusting.

t is contemplated touse the aX as a han1- mer with the sheath on it, the sheath serving as guard for the sharp end ofthe ax and also to protect the same from dullinfr.

I claim:

l. In an aX sheath, a case to receive the ax head, said case being open across the top but closed across the bottom with the exception of a single opening to pass the an handle through whereby the head of the ax is received in the' case as in a pocket with the handle `depending from the case, and means for suspending the case as on a belt or the like and for retaining the ax'head in the case, said means comprising a strap fixed on the outside of said case on one side thereof so as to provide a loop between it and the wall of the case to receive the suspensory belt or the like', and said strap being eX- tended across .the open top of the case to the other side thereof to close the case on the azi.

2. ln an ax sheath, a case to receive the ax head, said case being closed at the front at the sharp edge of the ax and open at the back at the blunt edge of the ax, and being` closed on the bottoni to suspend. the ax, there being a small opening provided in the botpassing through a slit in the inner Wall rof said case and down theinner face a certain distance, and permanently fastened to the case. Y Y Y 3. In an ax sheath, a case to receive the ax head, said case being` open acrossthe top and having an opening in the bottom thereof for the an handle, and a fastener flap secured at one end to Ythe one side of said case and passing up through an opening provided in the wall of the caseand across the open top to the other side of the case for .closing the case on the ax, said flap forming a loop between the secured'end thereof'and the opening in the VWall of thecase to receive a suspensory belt orA the like.

4., ln an ax sheath, a caseto receive the an head, .said case being openacross the top and having an opening in the bottom thereof for the ax handle, and a fastener flap occurring intermediate the frontand rear ends of the case opposite the aX handle opening, secured at one end to the one side of said case and passing up through an opening provided in theV Wall of the case and across the open top to the other side of the case for closing the case on the aX, said flap forming a loop between the secured 'end thereof and the opening in the wall of the case to receive a suspensory belt or the like. Y

5. ln an ax sheath,- a case to receive the ai; head, ysaid case being open across the top and having an opening in thebottom thereof to receive the ax handle, and a flap secured at one end to the one side of said case and passing up `througha slit provided in the wall of the case and across the open top to the other sideV of the case for closing the same on the ax head,said Hap forming a loop between the securedvend thereof and the slit in the wallof the case to receive a suspensory belt Vor the like,'and having a fastener at its free end providing' a projection too large topass through the aforesaid slit. v

Y* i ERNEST ESTWING. n 

